Howrah News Service -  Latest news and headlines on Howrah,West Bengal and World: LTTE ban for 2 more years

LTTE ban for 2 more years
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NewsByte on 15 May, 2008 03:50:01
 
By OUR CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, May 15: Voicing concern over turbulence in Sri Lanka causing a
threat to the security of Tamil Nadu, the Centre on Thursday announced a
two-year extension of the ban on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The
extension of the ban has come simultaneously with the efforts of security
agencies to step up vigil along the coastal areas with the Intelligence Bureau
asking the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard to increase vigil on ports and other
vital installations. In a meeting held earlier this week and chaired by home
minister Shivraj Patil, the IB cited a threat from the LTTE which has reportedly
acquired air power, making it capable of attacking vital military installations.
During the meeting, the IB asked private units and PSUs to increase vigil along
ports and other vital installations. Emphasis was also laid on having more
coastal police stations which can guard ports and vital installations in the
hinterland.
Meanwhile, the notification issued by the MHA on Thursday extending the ban on
the LTTE by declaring it as an unlawful association said the "turbulence" in Sri
Lanka is being exploited by the pro-LTTE forces, in spite of the ban, causing
disquiet and threat to the security of Tamil Nadu. It said that though the LTTE
was based in Sri Lanka, it had sympathisers, supporters and agents on the Indian
soil.
In view of hostilities between Sri Lankan security forces and the LTTE, vigil
has also been stepped up in the 21 islands in the Palk Strait. The notification
said that there is a strong need to control all such separatist activities by
all possible means.